Architecture and Building

Progress, Volume VI, Issue 2, 1 December 1910, Page 484

Architecture and Building

Union Steam Ship Co.'s New Offices,

This building consists of four stories and basement, the greater part of the ground floor being devoted to the Company's own purposes. .Special attention has been given to the allotment of departments and separate counters are set apart for ferry, coastwise, and inter-colonial business. In addition, separate counters are devoted to inward and outward freights, traffic manager, and accountants' branch. The public convenience has been studied in every essential, and ample accommodation provided for each department. A Mezzanine floor at back has been devoted to the Company's own use and contains private offices and lavatory accommodation. A portion of the ground floor has been allotted to separate offices for the New Zealand Shipping Co., who are also provided with ample and convenient accommodation. The first and second floors are subdivided into offices, the greater number of which are already let to tenants. The basement and top floor arc at present intended to be allotted to storage purposes. Separate goods and passenger lifts serve all floors, and are worked by electricity. These were manufactured by the Otis Elevator Co. of America, and installed by Messrs. Turnbull & Jones, their agents. A system of hot-water radiators for artificial heating has been installed throughout the building, also gas and electric lighting. The appointments and finish are all on first-class lines, and sanitary fittings, of Messrs. Doulton & Company's latest manufacture, are supplied to all lavatories, etc. The various floors are served with a marble and iron staircase. The floors of corridors, landings and lavatories are all covered with tiles of handsome designs. The internal decoration has been designed on generous lines, the whole of the ceilings being handsomely decorated with fibrous plaster, tastefully picked out in delicate tints. A feature of the main shipping office on the ground floor is a large ferro-concrete and steel dome-light glazed with electro copper Luxfer fireproof glass in a handsome design. The lighting throughout the building is a strong feature, every part being flooded with light. The fittings are all handsomely designed in polished walnut, which imparts a great richness to the general effect. Ample strong-room accommodation is provided in every part of the building. r The exterior is finished in pressed bricks with stucco dressings painted and sanded in imitation of Sydney sandstone. The design is on simple but bold lines. The

main entrance and also the corner entrance to upper floors are flanked with polished grey Aberdeen granite. The base of the building for a height of 10 feet is faced with Malmesbury blue stone, and the entrance steps are of the same material. The roof is flat, constructed of concrete covered with Neuchatel Asphalt, and a very fine view of the city is obtained from it. The construction of the building is a steel framework filled in with hnV.lr n-nrl

concrete. The floors throughout are of reinforced concrete, and the partitions of Terra-cotta lumber. Everything that is possible has been done to make the building as nearly as possible earthquake and fire-resisting. The internal area windows are all of steel, glazed with electro copper fire-proof glass and protected with Kinnear steel roller shutters made automatically self closing. The lift wells are similarly protected with steel roller shutters. The building occupies as high a place in the architectural development of the Dominion as the Company's fleet does in its maritime progress. Therefore it is a building worthy of the Company and of the occasion.